5 dvds for $25 (you have to sign up with columbia house)

[Pilsnerpete]

that sucks! different deals for Alaska.

btw, it looked like it still worked to me! I put in the code and it said "5 for 24.95 is the code you entered!!"
So, have at it guys.. I owe them money neway.


--->>Pete

 

[MontyBurns]

Columbia house IS making money selling DVDs for $5 apiece. At least some percentage of people who order this deal will forget to cancel, and will have some DVD sent to them, and will be charged $29.95 + shipping + tax for it, and CH will have made back all their money.

This company is not stupid, and this is not some pricing error. They CREATED this plan, in order to SELL IT to people. It's not like we somehow hacked into the mainframe here.


They marketed the previous 5-for-$25-with-nothing-else-to-buy deal on the Home Shopping Network. Was that just an "accident" on their part?

 

[iwearnosox]

Again, my point. Their intention was not for it to proliferate into the "hot deal kingdom" where people register multiple times and the cancellation rate is probably in excess of 99%. Clearly something has occured that has made them pull their promotion. If they were making money hands over fist, they would continue it.

Your logic just doesn't work.

 

[DrPizza]

They chose the price... they could have just as easily chosen 5 for $40, free shipping, and I'll bet a lot of people would have signed up for that....

Blacklisted??? I believe the current record is 182 memberships through CH for someone at that place that talks about dvd's.

 

[JameyF]

Originally posted by: MontyBurns
Columbia house IS making money selling DVDs for $5 apiece. At least some percentage of people who order this deal will forget to cancel, and will have some DVD sent to them, and will be charged $29.95 + shipping + tax for it, and CH will have made back all their money.

This company is not stupid, and this is not some pricing error. They CREATED this plan, in order to SELL IT to people. It's not like we somehow hacked into the mainframe here.


They marketed the previous 5-for-$25-with-nothing-else-to-buy deal on the Home Shopping Network. Was that just an "accident" on their part?

First...they don't make money on shipping or tax. That's someone else's money. Let's get that out right away. Second, I didn't say they were stupid, or that it was an error. They MAY make money if people stay members, but they aren't making money up front. I have read too many posts on dealer costs of most DVD's being in the $10 range (give or take a couple of bucks) to think CH can somehow buy them, pay for shipping the DVD's to them AND to you, pay for all the packaging, and pay for all the support for $5 each without losing money. This was a loss-leader. I got in on the deal, and I would have kept cancelling and getting in on it. The management probably wanted to boost sales momentarily to look good. It's the same thing all the internet startup companies did. They all did high volume, large loss specials with free shipping to get customers. A very few are still around. That isn't to say CH will go bankrupt from this deal. I'm sure they underestimated the number of requests and cancellations. I'm sure they'll be losing tons of money over it, but I'm also sure they will run even more similar deals in the future. Look at all the new customers they attracted. As I said before, they will have many more people to send mailers.

Of course, if they have found out some way to buy DVD's for $2-3 each, they could make money. Again, I don't see that being the case. If it were, why would they pull this HUGELY popular deal?


EDIT: Also, most of the Director's selections aren't going to be $29.95. Usually they are very current big hit movies that will either be $19.95-$24.95. My current director's selection is Road to Perdition for $19.95. That's a fair price for it anywhere in retail. They won't make up for an upfront loss quickly at $19.95 for probably 1 out of a hundred staying a member. Just do the math at even 1 out of 50 staying a member for 2 movies that will make them $10 per movie. That comes out to $20 for each 50 members or an average of $2.50 per member. That's not going to be enough.

 

[iwearnosox]

It's losing, not loosing. Loosing is akin to your shoes coming untied.

Nobody ever speels it write.

 

[JameyF]

Originally posted by: iwearnosox
It's losing, not loosing. Loosing is akin to your shoes coming untied.

Nobody ever speels it write.

Thank You. I hate being wrong

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: MontyBurns
Columbia house IS making money selling DVDs for $5 apiece. At least some percentage of people who order this deal will forget to cancel, and will have some DVD sent to them, and will be charged $29.95 + shipping + tax for it, and CH will have made back all their money.

This company is not stupid, and this is not some pricing error. They CREATED this plan, in order to SELL IT to people. It's not like we somehow hacked into the mainframe here.


They marketed the previous 5-for-$25-with-nothing-else-to-buy deal on the Home Shopping Network. Was that just an "accident" on their part?

You're right, of course. However, I wonder if they don't practice a policy of hacking out those people they think are most likely to bail on their "membership". I called them and placed an order a week ago and another a day later (called in too, because I was unable to do it online), and I haven't seen a charge on my CC yet. I had 4 orders back in November and December in a 3 DVD's for $24 deal, the one so discussed in this forum titled "Columbia House - 3 DVDs for $7.30 each! Nothing more to buy..." I made a couple of orders then that didn't go through (all by phone) and I don't know why, but I kept trying. I had a successful order with a different shipping address. I wonder now if I'm flagged for denial at this point. It wouldn't be based on doing anything wrong - just a relative likelihood that I won't be one of their "best customers."

 

[gizzard]

I ordered another 5 DVDs (Casino, The Usual Suspects, Ocean's 11, Negotiator, The Professional) through the red site last night and the order went through, but I haven't gotten a confirmation e-mail yet.

 

[DrPizza]

Hmmm..... ditto on the lack of confirmation email from orders placed 2-13... not yet anyhow....

 

[aperry]

My first order was on the red site, no confirmation email, but I did get the order shipped email.

My second order was on the blue site. Got all emails.

My third order was again on the red site. Still no confirmation (ordered on the 11th).

I guess I will wait and see... But, hey, if all I get are the 10 I have already, then I will be happy with that.

 

[Dan2]

Received mine today (Friday 14th). Credit card was charged about 8 days ago.

Cancelled both orders online. No problems. Thanks again!

 

[xBopx]

I ordered on the 4th of feb and got the following email on Feb 5

Thank you for your application to join
Columbia House DVD Club.

Here are the movies you selected:

Qty. Title
1 Blade Runner - The Director's Cut
1 Amelie
1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1 Full Metal Jacket
1 Thelonious Monk - Straight, No Chaser


We will ship your DVDs and Welcome package as soon as
your application is approved.

If you have any questions regarding your order, please
feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at
dvd_customer_service@columbiahouse.com or call us at
1-800-262-2001.

Thanks again and we look forward to your membership!

Sincerely,
Vern Riggs
Customer Service
Membership Director
Columbia House DVD Club

www.columbiahouse.com

I haven't received anything else since then! Whats goin on?

 

[stingygrrl]

New account email 2-5.
Approval 2-7
Went to the website and declined the Director's selection 2-9
Shipped 2-12

Blue site using original code. I honestly couldn't find more DVDs I want to own.

 

[azoomee]

I signed up a few weeks ago and just got confirmation that the DVDs shipped yesterday

Almost time to cancel already...

 

[damnlimey]

How do I cancel at the website?

 

[smartt]

nm

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: damnlimey
How do I cancel at the website?

by reading this thread.

 

[damnlimey]

This is an email I just received from columbia house regarding my question about not being able to log in.

"Thank you for your recent e-mail message.

In order to assist you as soon as possible, we are forwarding
information that we have determined generally answers our members
questions on specific topics of interest.

We have been experiencing a slight delay in logging our new members into our Web Site database. By the time you receive your second monthly option card, you should be able to use the Web Site to register
your account. We are hoping to have this problem corrected soon and appreciate your patience"

Seems like they're playing dirty

Oh,and Dethman,don't be a dick

 

[deeznuts]

Originally posted by: damnlimey
How do I cancel at the website?

here i'll help you. i did it a couple days ago, so i forget exactly and their site isn't working, but you should be able to figure it out. go to the dvd club. on the top left there is a tab called "Club Help" select that. on the right is a "Contact Us" click on that. ok, on the first pull down menu is a "Select Subject" choose Cancel Membership. it will bring you to a new page. if you are signed in already, it should take you to another option or pop up window (i forget) that says you can cancel by automation. go through that. for reason for cancelling, say your fullfillment is done.

 

[damnlimey]

The email they sent me seems to say that they won't let you even log in at the site until after your second directors choice card has been returned,I guess I'll have to cancel by phone.
Thanks for trying to help.

 

[Shinj1EVA]

Thanks just sent a message to cancel mine see if i can get 5 more using another code

 

[Yobbo]

Seems like this deal might be dead, check out dvdtalk for more info...I'll put a big *DEAD* next to the title once its confirmed...

 

[damnlimey]

OK,panic over,they sent me another email today and I was able to log in and cancel my account.

 

[Kuhlman]

Warning: word on the street says that if you cancel and sign up for accounts again, you may get blacklisted. If that doesn't matter to you, then don't worry about it

CH does not blacklist people who sign up for accounts, cancel, and sign up for more. People at DVD talk have been opening and closing dozens of accounts for years with no problem.